(CNN) - Big sections in the heart of Washington, D.C. will be converted into giant parking lots next month, with District officials are now planning to allow as many as 10,000 charter buses - carrying an estimated 200,000 passengers - to park in the city itself for the presidential inauguration, the Washington Post reported Thursday.

The move - which represents a dramatic shift from earlier plans that would have placed most of these buses at sites outside Washington - comes amid concerns the Metro system would be overwhelmed by the massive wave of visitors, and thousands stranded in parking lots miles from the city.

Nearly all curbside parking in a massive chunk of the downtown area, and near Union Station, will be reserved for city and charter buses and official vehicles, with the exception of some residential areas. Most of the blocks between 11th and 21st streets, and from K through P streets, will be affected. Cars parked in the area without permission after midnight on January 20 will be towed.

Another 1,200 charter buses will be parked at half a dozen Metro stations in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

soundoff(17 Responses)

I hope the secret service does a better job with this that they did in Iraq. I would hate for the country too have to bury a president right after he swears in.

December 25, 2008 04:03 pm at 4:03 pm |

Tylenol 666

On a not too cold sunny day in March 2009 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here."

The old man said, "Okay", and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here."

The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"

The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it."

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow, Sir."

Happy Holidays All :)

December 25, 2008 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |

Meka

The WORLD, awaits President Obama's Reign. EVERY NATION knows President Obama's leadership will increase WORLD UNITY ! ! !

December 25, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

conservative

Sounds like lots of Americans need a dose of reality or are hard up for a party ! It is an swearing in of a politician ,nothing more or less , who is bound to disappoint!! They all do !

December 25, 2008 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |

Carole

I agree dollorbibil.....I don't like Bush, but I still can't believe it not only happened but the guy got to throw a second shoe. Moreso, Bush stood there waiting for the second show. Did he not see the guy reach down and have the wherewithall to duck? Unreal!

I was amazed how close people got to President Obama in Hwaii.

**I think sitting at home in a warm home will be adequate for this historic event.

December 25, 2008 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |

pakuna

I am so sick of hearing about obama. He is not our president yet. We have a President Now. I did not vote for Bush nor do I like him However He is our president Now. so put obama in moth balls until such time as he gets into the white house. As far as his body is "hot" he is as hot as his wifey's whale hips are.

December 25, 2008 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

Farrell, Houston, Tx

Obama will be the most protected president in history and you can take that to the bank. Remember the whole world is watching and there will be nothing negative to show the world we are not strong enough to protect our president as well as our U.S. citizens. THINK ABOUT IT.

December 25, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

iloveobama9675

pakuna...sour grapes. we are excited and bush's time has run out. obama, obama, obama
he deserves all of the attention and more

December 25, 2008 05:35 pm at 5:35 pm |

Proud American

pakuna and conservative sounds really bitter at there lost. In just a few short weeks a very intelligent man will take office and show you village idiots how this nation should be govern. If your still sick of hearing about Obama, there a village up in Alaska that looking for a few good idiots.

December 25, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens

Pakuna, have you ever seen moth balls? If so, how did you get there legs apart? We might as well call B Husain O our president. We have been going on automatic pilot long enough and Bush as all but quit. Get use to having a Muslim President who was born in the nation of Hawaii!

December 25, 2008 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

Joe Fattal

I don't know what's the hurry about that inauguration, and Obama. The man hasn't sworn in yet, and Gov. Blago's attorney want to supeona dozens of Obama's aid. That man is not in the white house, and some of his staff is already under investigation. That is a hell of a good start. And we going to have him for four years!!!!!!!!!

December 25, 2008 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

Even if he disappoints

He is worth it, all the hope that he has generated

We deserve this moment after putting up with 8 years of Bush, I can't believe this moment is almost here

I felt we have endured an Orwellian nightmare these last 8 years and maybe, just maybe things will improve, I can't image it getting any worse

December 25, 2008 07:42 pm at 7:42 pm |

D.

I voted for him, but feel it is in poor taste to have so much money spent on the ceremony when there are so many people struggling. More troops sent to die in Afghanistan, trillions more waiting to be spent on the misguided war effort, a highly divisive pick for the convocation, and an environmentally unfriendly Interior choice. Where is the “change”?

December 25, 2008 07:43 pm at 7:43 pm |

Jeff From Jersey

Will there be "shoe-throwing" opportunities for the public to help Bush get out of town?

December 25, 2008 08:01 pm at 8:01 pm |

Bernie

Obama needs to emulate Lincoln more, starting with his inauguration using more than just Lincoln's bible. Take the oath on the white house steps with a few people in attendance then walk inside and get to work. I read somewhere that the cost of Lincoln's inauguration was a few dollars for the bible. All that money blown for security, pompousness and circumstance could help rescue a thousand or more people from foreclosure. It's exactly the kind of excess the American people are fed up with.

December 25, 2008 08:07 pm at 8:07 pm |

Gabriel Jaramillo

I believe that, yes Obama will be heavily garded by Secret Service. But remember, when JFK became president he was heavily guarded as well, because he believe practically the same that Obama believes in. CHANGE. Because JFK was the type of person to go get a VP that he didnt like and ran against, like OBAMA and BIDEN. I believe the conspiracy that JFK Vice President was involved in the murder of the president. And I believe that yes the President Elect will be heavily guarded just for about the first couple of years, then the Secret Service will limit themselves to protecting the President so that the White man BIDEN will become president. Its like DAJAVOU. Becareful President Elect OBAMA. The white men are watching you.

Hi my name is Gabriel Jaramillo and I live in Southern California, and this is what I believe.